The Incas

by Terence N. D'Altroy Narrated by Denis Judd

Overview

The Incas were a small ethic group from the southern Peruvian highlands who created the greatest empire ever seen in the independent Americas--an empire of 10 to 12 million people. Inca history, largely presented to us by the conquering Spanish, reveals a rich culture of stunning achievement. In many ways, Inca life was defined by its unique geographical setting in the Andes, whose climate influenced everything from the crops the Incas grew to the altitudes in which they lived. This course focuses on Inca life at the height of empire, the society's origins, its military, religion, ruling structure, and finally, the Incas' legacy today.

Editorial Reviews

J Richardson

There have been many syntheses of the Inca culture of the Central Andes of South America, but this one, by the leader in Inca studies, surpasses them all. The book is organized in 13 chapters, with the first two discussing the history of Inca studies, the myriad environments in the Inca empire from coast to high Andean valleys to tropical forest, and pre-Inca origins. Chapters 3 and 4 recount the development of the Inca from a local power in the Cuzco region to the largest empire in the New World. Chapters 5-8 focus on the Inca political system and the empire's organization into four geographic quarters; the Inca imperial capital at Cuzco and royal estates such as Machu Picchu; Inca religion; and Inca social systems. Chapters 9-11 describe the spread and domination of their realm through a strong military and the establishment of provincial administrative and storage centers connected by 40,000 kilometers of roads. Chapter 12 investigates Inca ceramic, textile, and metal artistry, while Chapter 13 discusses the collapse of the Inca empire through the 1532 Spanish invasion and the legacy of Inca culture found today among Andean peoples. This marvelous book is suitable for general readers, students, and researchers/faculty at all levels.
— Choice

Booknews

Integrating information from archaeological sources as well as historical commentaries and research from explorers, eyewitnesses, and scholars<-->D'Altry (anthropology, Columbia U.) provides a comprehensive picture of the Inca empire, which, at its height, was comparable in size to the Roman Empire in Europe. He looks first at the region and its cultures and politics before the rise of the empire and examines how it arose. Then he writes about its functioning<-->rulers, administration, family structure, ideology, and economy<-->and the reasons for its demise at the hands of the Spaniards in the 16th century. The book is amply illustrated by figures and maps. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

From the Publisher

"Transforms the field of Inca studies." Gary Urton, Harvard University

"There have been many syntheses of the Inca culture of the Central Andes of South America, but this one, by the leader in Inca studies, surpasses them all." Choice

"[D'Altroy] is recognised as an outstanding and well-published scholar on the provinces of the Inca Empire. I highly recommend this excellent synthesis of Inca studies ... for its comparative empire insights ... its smooth and lively narrative style and for the critical discussion of the abundant historical and archaeological sources on the Inca empire." Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173110466
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	10/03/2008
Series:	Peoples of America
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	1,023,085

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